Free Press Summer Festival preview: Violent Femmes

There was a time, nearly 30 (!) years ago, when I was a member of the Violent Femmes fan club. With my membership came two prized possessions during the latter half of my high school days: a “Gimme The Car” bumper sticker (which resided in the back window of my Oldsmobuick) and a T-shirt with a bizarre I-still-don’t-know-what-it-was image.

I assume most people’s introduction to Violent Femmes’ music was/is “Add It Up” or “Blister In The Sun.” But, if I recall correctly, I bought the band’s 1986 album, The Blind Leading The Naked, at the Musicland in a suburban mall on a whim. Sometimes it’s great coming into a band’s catalog a couple of albums in, and while I remain a fan of their third album, the first two–their self-titled debut and Hallowed Ground–without a doubt deserve the most attention.

The Milwaukee-based band never played Texas back then (that I knew anyway), and I never saw the band live until some Houston radio station parking lot concert on the Richmond strip in the early- to mid-90s. But it was a great show, and one I remember fondly. I haven’t really kept up with the band much, so it was great to learn that Violent Femmes will perform at this year’s Free Press Summer Fest at Eleanor Tinsley Park near downtown Houston. The festival runs June 4-5, 2016, and passes are available at www.fpsf.com.

Here are a few videos from the band to tide you over:

Violent Femmes play the Free Press Summer Festival on the Venus Stage, Sunday, 6.5.16, at 7:30pm.